Sunday, June 07, 2009

Both were generous with their time following their plays last month in New York. Marcia likes to ride her bicycle to the theater as I spotted her several different days either arriving or departing. And, I got both the same night, about 15 minutes apart. How's that for ironic?

Friday, June 05, 2009

I have several updates . . . so here it goes:

I was saddened to learn of the death of actor David Carradine this past week. I met Carradine last year in Peoria, Illinois, as he was in town promoting one of his movies for the new Hallmark HD Channel. He signed several 8 x 10s from his Kung Fu days and Kill Bill DVDs and inserts. He signed each with his name and then drew a "ying/yang" symbol. And, he posed for the above photo, not once, but twice, as the first shot was a little out of focus.

Singer Frankie Valli stopped by the Sangamon Auditorium on the campus of the University of Illinois at Springfield this past Wednesday for a sold out show. As Vallie emerged from the venue after his sound check, I asked him for a photo. He sort of looked around and told me to make it very fast. As his driver fumbled to get the door to his town car open, I then asked him to sign a CD, but Valli looked ahead and ignored my request. I asked again as he returned in the town car moments before the show. His first words as he opened the car door, "I can't sign anything now, I'm late for the show." I asked if he do it afterwards, and he nodded his head yes. Almost an hour after the show's end, he emerged from the stage door tunnel. About 15 fans were still waiting. He signed my CD and two 8 x 10s, although he didn't have much to say.